LABOUR condemned the government yesterday for waving new regulations through the Commons that ministers admit would put post-Brexit border security at risk.

Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds described the new Customs Safety and Security Procedures (EU Exit) Regulations as “tantamount to a smuggler’s charter” which could have been avoided if the government had taken action earlier to avoid expected gridlock at ports.

The new rules give HMRC power to waive pre-departure safety and security checks for exports, which could compromise border security and allow smugglers to carry out illegal activity.

The government forced through the regulations, which take effect when the Brexit transition period ends on December 31, amid uncertainty over how new customs and trading rules will operate with an UK-EU deal yet to be struck.

PM Boris Johnson was unable to say on Wednesday how many of the 50,000 new customs officials he promised would be ready for January 1.

His subsequent dinner with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen failed to see any progress on the three sticking points of fishing, a “level playing field,” and governance.

The EU has published contingency plans in the event that there is no deal, with the aim of ensuring smooth UK-EU travel.

The four measures include ensuring reciprocal provision of “certain air services” for six months, and allowing aviation safety certificates to be used in EU aircraft without disruption to avoid grounding.

They would also ensure reciprocal basic connectivity for road-freight and passenger transport for six months, and allow the possibility of reciprocal fishing access for one year, or until an agreement is reached.

Prospect union general secretary Mike Clancy criticised the British government over reports that it will reject the “connectivity alignment,” describing it as “reckless” given the decline of the aviation industry during the coronavirus pandemic.